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JOHANNESBURG - 2024 is going to be a big year for democracy in South Africa, with provincial and national elections set to take place.

Can a scandal around a singing competition provide lessons for voters who will choose a new government?

A UJ academic says it does.

Ukhozi FM’s Song of the Year has raised the ire of listeners and music fans after the Maskandi musician, Khuzani featuring Umjolo Lowo won the contest over and above other songs that were arguably more popular.

Umjolo Lowo received nearly 1 million votes from Ukhozi FM listeners while iPlan which topped the charts at Metro FM received 90,000.

Many were shocked at the result.

Vusi Gumbi, a researcher at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg, discussed this with eNCA.